Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffects of Facial StructureIs One Better Than the Other?Determining How You BreatheFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Effects of Facial Structure

Is One Better Than the Other?

Determining How You Breathe

Frequently Asked Questions

Most people don’t think about how theybreathe. Some people breathe through their mouths, while others do so through their noses. If you breathe through your mouth, there are exercises you can try to change your breathing patterns.

This article discusses the effects ofmouth breathingvs. nose breathing and offers tips for changing how you inhale and exhale.

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Young woman sitting on the floor leaning against a piece of wooden furniture

Effect of Facial Structure on Breathing

The structure of your face and mouth influences whether you’re a mouth or nose breather. Medical conditions that affect the sinuses andupper respiratory tractcan alter that structure. Additionally, the way you breathe can influence jaw and skull development.

Mouth Breathing

Breathing through your mouth or nose isn’t a conscious decision, especially in children or infants and during sleep. Your breathing patterns may change due tocongestionor obstruction of the sinuses and nasal passages.

Mouth breathing, especially throughout childhood and adolescence, can also affect your face and jaw anatomy. Researchers have identified several such effects on anatomy, including:

These anatomical changes can change the overall appearance of your face. People who chronically breathe through their mouths may appear with their upper jaw protruding over the lower, a more prominent forehead, and a long, narrow face. In addition, the head may appear pushed forward relative to the shoulders.

Mouth breathing can also affecttongueposition. When you mouth-breathe, your tongue is lower than usual to allow for extra air.

Mouth Breathing as a Derogatory TermHistorically, “mouth breather” has been used as a derogatory term to describe someone as stupid or unintelligent. This is an unfair characterization; how you breathe has nothing to do with intelligence.

Mouth Breathing as a Derogatory Term

Historically, “mouth breather” has been used as a derogatory term to describe someone as stupid or unintelligent. This is an unfair characterization; how you breathe has nothing to do with intelligence.

Nose Breathing

Though both kinds of breathing convey oxygen to thelungs, the human body is naturally inclined towards nasal breathing, which can only occur whennasal passagesare unobstructed. When you breathe through your nose, your lips should close comfortably with your teeth separated slightly.

Is One Better for You Than the Other?

While both types of breathing get oxygen to the body, there are several distinct advantages to nose breathing:

Mouth breathing can affect your dental health.Malocclusion, a misalignment of the jaw bones, can cause crooked or damaged teeth. Breathing with your mouth makes it drier, harming your teeth and gum health, leading togingivitis(gum disease),periodontitis(infection of the gums), andcavities, among other issues.

Mouth Breathing in Infants and ChildrenInfants primarily breathe through their noses as their tongues and throats strengthen. However, inflammation of theadenoids, asthma, chronic colds, or other issues can cause them to breathe through their mouth. If you suspect your child is breathing this way, talk to their healthcare provider.

Mouth Breathing in Infants and Children

Infants primarily breathe through their noses as their tongues and throats strengthen. However, inflammation of theadenoids, asthma, chronic colds, or other issues can cause them to breathe through their mouth. If you suspect your child is breathing this way, talk to their healthcare provider.

Side Effects of Sleeping With Mouth Open

Sleeping with your mouth open can lead to several dental and health problems.Dry mouthat night is a common occurrence in people who sleep with their mouths open and can cause several issues:

What Determines What Kind of Breather You Are?

The majority of people breathe through their noses. Clinically, mouth breathing is defined as getting 25 to 30% of your air through the mouth rather than the nose.Nasal obstruction is at the root of most problems associated with mouth breathing. Conditions leading to nasal obstruction include:

How Do You Stop Mouth Breathing?

If you’re concerned aboutmouth breathing, there are techniques tohelp you change your respiratory patterns. Breath exercises can boost lung strength and function and help improve anxiety, stress, and sleep.Severalyogicbreathing techniques can help you retrain your breathing patterns.

Alternate Nostril Breathing

An exercise known within the yogic practice asNadi Shodhana, alternate nostril breathing is commonly recommended to help with breathing. Research has shown thisyogaexercise to improve lung and heart health and cognitive function.

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Also called “belly breathing,” diaphragmatic breathing aims to involve thediaphragm, which is the major breathing muscle located beneath the lungs. As with other breathing exercises, this approach helps improve lung function and reduce stress, among other benefits.

Breath of Fire

Referred to asKapalabhati, the breath of fire is an exercise that focuses on normal inhalation and quicker, more powerful exhalation. As with other yoga practices, it is beneficial for breath and lung function and can help with anxiety, memory, and other cognitive tasks.

Summary

Most people breathe through their noses, but some do so through their mouths. While both types of breathing succeed in getting oxygen to the lungs, nose breathing is more efficient and offers several health benefits.

Mouth breathing is typically the result of blockages in the nasal passages and is associated with dental and health problems. If you breathe with your mouth, breathing exercises can help you retrain your respiratory patterns.

Frequently Asked QuestionsPeople who chronically breathe through their mouths may have an upper jaw that protrudes over their lower jaw, a more prominent forehead, and a long, narrow face. In addition, the head may appear pushed forward relative to the shoulders. Mouth breathing can cause misalignment of the jaw, causing crooked teeth.Learn MoreDo I Have a Crooked Jaw?Breathing primarily or exclusively through the mouth is a problem at any age. People who do are more likely to develop dental issues, such as cavities, crooked teeth, and chronic bad breath.In addition, mouth breathing in infants and children can affect the development of the jaw, affecting the facial structure.Learn MoreThe Anatomy of the MandibleNose breathing is considered normal and is not associated with health effects. Signs that you may be mouth breather include sleep apnea (stopping and restarting breathing throughout the night), sleeping with your mouth open, dry mouth, drooling while asleep, problems getting enough rest, itchiness in the nose, and nasal congestion.You also may be more prone to dental problems, such as gum disease (gingivitis), gum infection (periodontitis), and chronic bad breath (halitosis).Learn MoreWhat Is Dry Mouth During Sleep?

People who chronically breathe through their mouths may have an upper jaw that protrudes over their lower jaw, a more prominent forehead, and a long, narrow face. In addition, the head may appear pushed forward relative to the shoulders. Mouth breathing can cause misalignment of the jaw, causing crooked teeth.Learn MoreDo I Have a Crooked Jaw?

People who chronically breathe through their mouths may have an upper jaw that protrudes over their lower jaw, a more prominent forehead, and a long, narrow face. In addition, the head may appear pushed forward relative to the shoulders. Mouth breathing can cause misalignment of the jaw, causing crooked teeth.

Learn MoreDo I Have a Crooked Jaw?

Breathing primarily or exclusively through the mouth is a problem at any age. People who do are more likely to develop dental issues, such as cavities, crooked teeth, and chronic bad breath.In addition, mouth breathing in infants and children can affect the development of the jaw, affecting the facial structure.Learn MoreThe Anatomy of the Mandible

Breathing primarily or exclusively through the mouth is a problem at any age. People who do are more likely to develop dental issues, such as cavities, crooked teeth, and chronic bad breath.In addition, mouth breathing in infants and children can affect the development of the jaw, affecting the facial structure.

Learn MoreThe Anatomy of the Mandible

Nose breathing is considered normal and is not associated with health effects. Signs that you may be mouth breather include sleep apnea (stopping and restarting breathing throughout the night), sleeping with your mouth open, dry mouth, drooling while asleep, problems getting enough rest, itchiness in the nose, and nasal congestion.You also may be more prone to dental problems, such as gum disease (gingivitis), gum infection (periodontitis), and chronic bad breath (halitosis).Learn MoreWhat Is Dry Mouth During Sleep?

Nose breathing is considered normal and is not associated with health effects. Signs that you may be mouth breather include sleep apnea (stopping and restarting breathing throughout the night), sleeping with your mouth open, dry mouth, drooling while asleep, problems getting enough rest, itchiness in the nose, and nasal congestion.You also may be more prone to dental problems, such as gum disease (gingivitis), gum infection (periodontitis), and chronic bad breath (halitosis).

Nose breathing is considered normal and is not associated with health effects. Signs that you may be mouth breather include sleep apnea (stopping and restarting breathing throughout the night), sleeping with your mouth open, dry mouth, drooling while asleep, problems getting enough rest, itchiness in the nose, and nasal congestion.

You also may be more prone to dental problems, such as gum disease (gingivitis), gum infection (periodontitis), and chronic bad breath (halitosis).

Learn MoreWhat Is Dry Mouth During Sleep?

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zheng W, Zhang X, Dong J, He J.Facial morphological characteristics of mouth breathers vs. nasal breathers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of lateral cephalometric data.Exp Ther Med. 2020;19(6):3738-3750. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8611Georgakopoulos B, Le PH.Anatomy, head and neck, nasal concha. StatPearls.MedlinePlus.Upper respiratory tract.Pacheco MC, Casagrande CF, Teixeira LP, Finck NS, de Araújo MT.Guidelines proposal for clinical recognition of mouth breathing children.Dental Press J Orthod. 2015;20(4):39-44. doi:10.1590/2176-9451.20.4.039-044.oarKaur M, Sharma RK, Tewari S, Narula SC.Influence of mouth breathing on outcome of scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis.BDJ Open. 2018;4(1):17039. doi:10.1038/s41405-018-0007-3American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).Lin L, Zhao T, Qin D, Hua F, He H.The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: a concise review.Front Public Health. 2022;10:929165. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.929165Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Statistics Report.Wellness-related use of common complementary health approaches among adults: United States: 2012.Ghiya S.Alternate nostril breathing: a systematic review of clinical trials.Int J Res Med Sci. 2017;5(8):3273-3286. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173523Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874Telles S, Gupta RK, Gandharva K, Vishwakarma B, Kala N, Balkrishna A.Immediate effect of a yoga breathing practice on attention and anxiety in pre-teen children.Children (Basel). 2019;6(7):84. doi:10.3390/children6070084

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zheng W, Zhang X, Dong J, He J.Facial morphological characteristics of mouth breathers vs. nasal breathers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of lateral cephalometric data.Exp Ther Med. 2020;19(6):3738-3750. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8611Georgakopoulos B, Le PH.Anatomy, head and neck, nasal concha. StatPearls.MedlinePlus.Upper respiratory tract.Pacheco MC, Casagrande CF, Teixeira LP, Finck NS, de Araújo MT.Guidelines proposal for clinical recognition of mouth breathing children.Dental Press J Orthod. 2015;20(4):39-44. doi:10.1590/2176-9451.20.4.039-044.oarKaur M, Sharma RK, Tewari S, Narula SC.Influence of mouth breathing on outcome of scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis.BDJ Open. 2018;4(1):17039. doi:10.1038/s41405-018-0007-3American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).Lin L, Zhao T, Qin D, Hua F, He H.The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: a concise review.Front Public Health. 2022;10:929165. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.929165Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Statistics Report.Wellness-related use of common complementary health approaches among adults: United States: 2012.Ghiya S.Alternate nostril breathing: a systematic review of clinical trials.Int J Res Med Sci. 2017;5(8):3273-3286. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173523Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874Telles S, Gupta RK, Gandharva K, Vishwakarma B, Kala N, Balkrishna A.Immediate effect of a yoga breathing practice on attention and anxiety in pre-teen children.Children (Basel). 2019;6(7):84. doi:10.3390/children6070084

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Zheng W, Zhang X, Dong J, He J.Facial morphological characteristics of mouth breathers vs. nasal breathers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of lateral cephalometric data.Exp Ther Med. 2020;19(6):3738-3750. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8611Georgakopoulos B, Le PH.Anatomy, head and neck, nasal concha. StatPearls.MedlinePlus.Upper respiratory tract.Pacheco MC, Casagrande CF, Teixeira LP, Finck NS, de Araújo MT.Guidelines proposal for clinical recognition of mouth breathing children.Dental Press J Orthod. 2015;20(4):39-44. doi:10.1590/2176-9451.20.4.039-044.oarKaur M, Sharma RK, Tewari S, Narula SC.Influence of mouth breathing on outcome of scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis.BDJ Open. 2018;4(1):17039. doi:10.1038/s41405-018-0007-3American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).Lin L, Zhao T, Qin D, Hua F, He H.The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: a concise review.Front Public Health. 2022;10:929165. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.929165Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Statistics Report.Wellness-related use of common complementary health approaches among adults: United States: 2012.Ghiya S.Alternate nostril breathing: a systematic review of clinical trials.Int J Res Med Sci. 2017;5(8):3273-3286. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173523Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874Telles S, Gupta RK, Gandharva K, Vishwakarma B, Kala N, Balkrishna A.Immediate effect of a yoga breathing practice on attention and anxiety in pre-teen children.Children (Basel). 2019;6(7):84. doi:10.3390/children6070084

Zheng W, Zhang X, Dong J, He J.Facial morphological characteristics of mouth breathers vs. nasal breathers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of lateral cephalometric data.Exp Ther Med. 2020;19(6):3738-3750. doi:10.3892/etm.2020.8611

Georgakopoulos B, Le PH.Anatomy, head and neck, nasal concha. StatPearls.

MedlinePlus.Upper respiratory tract.

Pacheco MC, Casagrande CF, Teixeira LP, Finck NS, de Araújo MT.Guidelines proposal for clinical recognition of mouth breathing children.Dental Press J Orthod. 2015;20(4):39-44. doi:10.1590/2176-9451.20.4.039-044.oar

Kaur M, Sharma RK, Tewari S, Narula SC.Influence of mouth breathing on outcome of scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis.BDJ Open. 2018;4(1):17039. doi:10.1038/s41405-018-0007-3

American Dental Association.Xerostomia (dry mouth).

Lin L, Zhao T, Qin D, Hua F, He H.The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: a concise review.Front Public Health. 2022;10:929165. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.929165

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Health Statistics Report.Wellness-related use of common complementary health approaches among adults: United States: 2012.

Ghiya S.Alternate nostril breathing: a systematic review of clinical trials.Int J Res Med Sci. 2017;5(8):3273-3286. doi:10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173523

Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al.The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults.Front Psychol. 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874

Telles S, Gupta RK, Gandharva K, Vishwakarma B, Kala N, Balkrishna A.Immediate effect of a yoga breathing practice on attention and anxiety in pre-teen children.Children (Basel). 2019;6(7):84. doi:10.3390/children6070084

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